The historic Agreement of June 17 2018 signed in the Prespes lakes between Greece and the (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) brings to an end an international dispute which had been festering for the last 25 years. It defines the political, historical and cultural boundaries between classical Greek Macedonia and as of now, North Macedonia, by making it clear that the Macedonian identity can be shared between people who endow it with different meanings. It respects the dignity and the right to self-determination of the two peoples and confirms the desire of both countries for peaceful coexistence.

To achieve this, each side has had to address the concerns of the other side. For Greece, the geographical designation in the compound new name (“North Macedonia”), its application both domestically and internationally (erga omnes), and the requirement that the constitution of FYROM be amended accordingly. For North Macedonia, acceptance of the existence of a Macedonian language as part of the Slavic family of languages (a fact long recognized by the UN and Greece) the designation of the nationality as Macedonian/Citizens of North Macedonia, and crucially, the promise of starting accession negotiations to NATO and the EU.

When completed, this legally binding international agreement will have resolved an issue of contested political identity, so common in multicultural societies, and will offer a model for future resolution of other protracted conflicts.

But the agreement still faces major hurdles in both countries where the hard liners and extremists are mobilizing against it. The government of North Macedonia in particular desperately needs for all parties to fulfill their promise if it is to win the ratifying referendum in the autumn.

In these critical times, when Europe faces the rise of extreme right-wing nationalism and racism, and when dangerous revisionisms are resurfacing in the Balkans and Europe dividing people into “traitors” and “patriots”, it is more important than ever to support those who take risks for reconciliation. We support this fair agreement and call on all parties to fulfill their end of the bargain.

SIGNATORIES

Kalypso Nicolaïdis, University of Oxford

Costas Douzinas, Birkbeck, University of London, Βουλευτης

Etienne Balibar, Université de Paris-Ouest, Kingston University London